What officials believe was a “freak accident” left one man dead and his wife injured at the Bull's Island Recreation Area, an NJ State Park in Hunterdon County.
Early Tuesday morning, an adult sycamore tree, weighing several thousand pounds, fell on a tent, trapping a New Jersey couple.
A camper from a nearby campsite, Kenny Tu, heard screams and ran over with a group of 15 others, according to NJ.com.
They soon discovered 46-year-old William Arias and his 42-year-old wife Elcetia trapped underneath the tree.
“The whole tree covered him up. We couldn’t even see him,” Tu told NJ.com.
William was pronounced dead at the scene while Elcetia was flown to an area hospital where she remained in guarded condition Tuesday night.
The group also found the couple’s 10-year-old son, 12-year-old daughter and 9-year-old nephew. The children were trapped below some branches but came away with no major injuries, authorities said.
The park remained open though the campsite of the victims was closed.
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